Art and Society in Light of Adorno’s Non-Identity Philosophy

Abstract

This article begins with a discussion of T.W. Adorno’s exploration of the culture industry, which he sees as characterized by deception and manipulation. The article then goes on to focus on the phenomenon of “false culture,” which has been brought about by commodity fetishism’s expansion to the cultural field in terms of both artistic creation (production) and appraciation (consumption). The article’s task then turns to interpreting Adorno’s critical reflections on art on the basis of his non-identity philosophy and the intrinsic dual dimensions (both destroying and reconciling) of “negative dialectics.” This allows one to make the claim that there is an inner relationship between Adorno’s theory of art and his social thought, and that these two aspects of discussion, particularly seen in relation provide a foundation for meaningful human life.

Keywords

culture industry / authentic art / non-identity / reconciliation

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2014 Higher Education Press and Brill